kind of religious miracle. Many Catholics are convinced of the
validity of various sightings of the Virgin Mary, stigmata, weeping or
bleeding statues, and even "incorruptible bodies." There are reported
miracles in other religions, as well—Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam all
claim to have documented miracles.
Satan has the power to perform miracles. While his power is limited,
he can and does perform miracles in order to deceive. John 8:44 says
that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. Satan can make himself
appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He does this to
draw people away from God.
When Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh, they performed a miraculous
sign to confirm their message from God (Exodus 7:8–10). The magi of
Egypt were able to perform the same miracle "by their secret arts"
(verse 11). God's miracle was shown to be greater (verse 12), but the
fact is that the magi were able to perform a satanic miracle in the
king's court.
During the tribulation, the Antichrist "will use all sorts of displays
of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie" (2
Thessalonians 2:9). These miracles are explicitly said to be empowered
by Satan. Jesus warned that the end times will be characterized by the
treachery of counterfeit prophets who "will appear and perform great
signs and wonders to deceive" (Matthew 24:24).
The existence of demonic miracles is one reason why we must test all
spirits: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the
spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets
have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). Any time we are in doubt,
we are to make sure that what is being taught lines up with what
Scripture says. If the miracle worker is teaching something contrary
to God's Word, then his miracles, no matter how convincing they seem,
are a demonic delusion.
Examples of convincing demonic miracles today are the apparitions of
the Virgin Mary in different countries. These appearances of Mary seem
legitimate; indeed, they are believed by millions of people. But when
we compare what the apparitions say to what Scripture teaches, it is
not even close. Over the course of several Marian apparitions, we are
told that God wants to establish worldwide devotion to Mary's
immaculate heart, that souls will be saved if devotions to her
immaculate heart are established, that she is the mediatrix between
man and God, that praying the rosary is required to enter heaven, that
she receives and answers prayer, that taking communion makes
reparation for sins committed against her, and that blessed objects
should be worn and placed in homes.
None of these messages are of God. Jesus is the only way to God (John
14:6). Mary does not have an "immaculate" (sinless) heart. Devotion to
Mary is not necessary, and the Bible never instructs us to pray to
anyone but God. Jesus is the only mediator between man and God
(Hebrews 7:25; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1).
The message of the Marian apparitions clearly contradicts Scripture.
Did the people who claim to have seen Mary experience a real miracle?
Yes, possibly. However, the entity calling itself "Mary" is not
working for God's glory or pointing people to Jesus Christ. Rather,
Mary is being glorified, and people are being told to earn their own
salvation by works.
Demonic miracles are real and they do occur. It is our responsibility
to make sure that we do not give in to them. We must keep our Bibles
open and put God's revealed truth ahead of any miracle we see.
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